Method and apparatus for treating women&#39;s hair



Oct. 11, 1932. LE PAGE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING WOMEN'S HAIR 2Sheets-Sheet Filed June 28. 1950 I N VEN TOR. HEcm i LE B1 GE A TTORNEY.

Oct. 11, 1932. LE PAGE 1,881,727

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING WOMENS HAIR Filed June 28, 1930 2Sheets-Sheet 2 m ;V=- :r; +1 lIIlIIIIIlIlIlI/IIIII I/IIIIIIIIIIIIIII/IIIIIIII INVENTOR. /*/5c 70/ [5 1 4GB,

I a I i I A TTORNE Patented Oct. 1 l, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEHECTOR LE PAGE, OI MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TBELTlNG WOIEN'B HAIR Application filed June as, 1930. Serial no. 484,589.

The present invention relates to methods and means employed forproducing an en-' 1 in a much more expeditious manner than is possiblewith existing apparatus. In its second aspect, the invention resides inan improved method of treatment, practice of the steps of which areproductive of the results desired.

The apparatus in which the invention is embodied comprises a vaporgenerating chamber in which the vapor is surcharged with certainchemical fumes, a novel instrument for receiving the windings of thestrands of hair thereon, with means for conducting the vapor to the saidinstrument, and emitting the vapors therefrom to thoroughly permeate thewindings and fix the same 1n the form produced in the winding.

The method resides, among other things, in the application of the vaporat the interior of the windings of the strands of hair, which method ofapplication has been demonstrated as productive of more satisfactoryresults than those which follow the older practice of externalapplication.

The practice of my invention enables me to achieve the results desiredwith great 35 economies in the cost of the materials used in thetreatment and in the time required for performing the operation.

In the foregoing, I have outlined the na- .ture and purposes of myinvention. In that which follows, I will describe specifically thefeatures referred to, as well as others present in the invention. In theappended claims, I will point out the features which are asserted asnovel. 7

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 shows in side elevation, with certain parts in verticalsection, an apparatus constructed in accordance with my inven- .tion;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinalsection, of the instrument about which the strands of hair are to bewound, together with the/adjustable sleeve for defining the operatingzone of the instrument; and

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing a modified construction.

In the accompanying drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a standard fixedin and risin vertically from a base ll, the latter being 0 such suitableshape and extent as will serve to maintain the standard and the partssupported thereon in upright position at all times. The standard 10 hasfixed upon the upper end thereof, a radial arm 12 which extenldshorizontally with relation to the standar A shelf-like upper bracket 14having an elongated bearing 15 is clamped upon the standard by means ofbolts 16, and projects radially from the standard in a directionopposite to that of the arm 12. By means of the bolts 16. the saidbracket may be adjusted vertically upon the standard to any desiredpoint intermediate the ends of the latter. and clamped in fixedposition. A second shelf-like lower bracket 17, extends radially fromthe lower end of the bearing 15 of the bracket 14, in the vertical planeof the latter. a space between the brackets being provided, for apurpose which will later be described.

A reservoir or container 18 is positioned upon the upper bracket 14, thesaid reservoir being designed for the accommodation of a quantity ofliquid, such as is used in treating the hair on the head of the patron.The reservoir 18 is provided with a filling orifice 9o 19. the hollowstem of which is provided with a hand operated valve 20, through whichthe liquid may be entered into the reservoir. At its lower side thereservoir is provided with a tubular vent 21, opened and closed by ahand operated valve 22, and with a set valve 23, which latter is adaptedto be adjusted to a position which will permit a graduated quantity ofthe liquid to pass through the vent 21 at the desired rate of flow. Whenonce adjusted, the valve 23 will not require further attention.

A vapor generating) chamber 24 is positioned upon the lower racket 17,immediate- 1y below the reservoir 18. The lower end of the tubular vent21, leading from the reservoir, passes through the top of the chamber 24and is positioned so as to deliver the liquid 1. vided with a valve 38dripping from the vent 21, upon a plate 25, heated at the under side byan electrical unit 26, or other heating device.

The chamber 24 is provided at one side with an outlet to which is joineda coupling 27 connected with a duct 28, rising along the side of thestandard 10 and extending over the radial arm 12, the duct beingpositioned in a longitudinal groove formed in the upper side of the saidarm. The end of the duct 28 is continued downwardly around the free endof the radial arm 12, as at 29, and supports a fluid distributor, whichwill be described later.

When it is desired to use the apparatus in the performance of itsfunctions, the electrical heating unit 26 is placed in circuit, and thehand operated valve 22 is opened to permit the liquid in the reservoirto flow through the vent 21, and drip upon the heated plate 25 in thevapor generating chamber. The fluid flowing from the reservoir into thechamber is thus converted into vapor and is passed through the duct 28to the distributor before mentioned. A by-pass 30 connects the vaporgenerating chamber 24 with the reservoir 18, so as to maintain an evenpressure upon the liquid in the latter. The lower end of the duct 28 isprovided with a trap 31, in which any vapor remaining in the duct 28below the horizontal portion thereof will be condensed, and may be drawnoff by opening the valve 32, at the conclusion of the use of theapparatus.

In the form illustrated, the fluid distributor before mentioned isformed "as a ring 33 of tubular cross section having a plurality ofradially arranged connecting tubes 34, the inner ends of which latterare centered in a hub 35, in which the downturned end 29' of the duct 28is entered, so as to support the distributor in a suspended position. Atrap 36 leads downwardly from the hub 35 of the distributor, to receivecondensation of the vapor in the distributor. Such condensation may bewithdrawn from the distributor and the hub thereof by opening a handoperated valve 37. It is preferable that the radially arranged ducts 34incline downwardly to ward the central hub 35, to insure the completedraining of the distributor into the trap 36.

The hollow ring 33 and the radially extended connecting tubes 34, areprovided at their under side with a plurality of outlets in the form ofnipples, each of which is proleading to a flexible tube 39. The numberof such outlets from the distributor and the number of connectedflexible tubes, will be suflicient to enable the apparatus to performits function in a proper manner. When the valves 38 are opened, thevapor will flow through the flexible tubes 39.

In order that a wavy and ornamental effect may be produced in thearrangement of the hair on the head of the patron who is being treated,the strands are wound as helixes about curlers, and while so wound aresubjected to a heating or steaming operation, the action of which is togive a permanent set to the coiled strands of hair. In the devicesheretofore employed in this art. the heat has been applied exteriorly tothe windings of the hair about the curlers. This method of applying theheat requires the use of adjunctive devices and materials, both of whichinvolve considerable expense, and which are not required in theconnection with the use of my improved apparatus, or in the applicationof the new method devised by me.

The curler, or implement which I use is of specially constructed tubularformation, the walls of which are provided with a multitude of smallperforations, the latter constituting emission pqts for the vaporgenerated in the chamber 24. Such a tubular curler with perforated wallsis indicated by the numeral 40 in Fig. 1, and shown in detail in Figs. 3and 4, it being constituted as a tube preferably of light metal,slightly tapered toward one end, and provided with numerous smallperforations 41. The smaller end of the tube is closed by a plug 42,having in its outer end a longitudinally extending slit 43, in which iswedged the thread used to confine the strand of hair about the tube.

The larger end of the tubular curler or implement 40 is slipped into thefree end of the flexible tubing 39, and may be adjusted longitudinallytherein to seal such of the ports 41 as are not covered by the windingof the strand of hair about the tube, and thus conserve the vapor andcause all of it to pass outwardly through the unsealed perforations inthe curler, and effect the better permeation of the winding of hair.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated a modification of the appliance shown inFig. 3, in that a sleeve 44 may receive the tubular curler or implement40, one end of the sleeve being entered in the flexible tube 39. Theopen end of the sleeve 44 is provided with radial projections 43, towhich are pivoted snap levers 46. A sealing gasket 47 encircles thetubular curler or implement 40, and is lodged in a circular depressionin the free end of the sleeve 44. A ring 48 surrounding the tubularcurler 40 is provided on its inner face with an annular rib 49, havingan inclined pression is effected by means oflinks 50 piv- 5 oted at oneend to the ring 48 and at the other to the snap levers 46. By pressingthe free ends of the snap levers into engagement with the sides of thesleeve 44, the asket will be compressed, with the result he ore stated.

A solution which I find well ada ted for the achievement of the purposes0 my mvention, is composed of sodium in water. Ammonium or any otheragent of the required properties may be used. This solution, when passedinto the heating chamber 24, will by contact with the heated plate beconverted into a vapor surcharged with the properties of the chemicalsused. In some instances, the liquid used in treatment results withoutthe addition thereto of any chemicals. It will therefore be within myinvention to use water only, and treat the hair of the patron with thesteam generated therefrom. V

In using the invention in a professional way, the strands of hair on thehead of the patron are wound about the several tubular curlers 40, or asmany of these as may be required in the operation. The number requiredwill vary at times. The patron will then be seated immediately under thedistributor, which in practice, is maintainedat such an elevation as notto interfere with the free movement of the patron into and out of seatedposition. The tubular curlers or implements 40, will then be connectedwith the flexible tubes 39, and the valves 38 of such of the flexibletubes 39 as may be in use, will be opened. With the generation of thevapor in the chamber 24, the vapor will flow through the duct 28, and bedistributed through the flexible tubes 39 and curlers 40,

passing out through the perforations in the latter, and thoroughlypermeating the strands of hair wound thereabout. This method of applying:heat from the inside of the coiled strands of hair, effects a greateconomy in the time required to set the windings in permanent form.Moreover, it saves the time heretofore required in preparation forexternal treatment. The pressure upon the vapor is sufficient to causeit to pass rapidly through and completely penetrate the windings of thehair, and I have found that the movement of the vapor through thestrands of hair in' a continuous manner, is

productive of results superior to those which follow the practice of theolder methods. After the treatment has continued for the required lengthof time, the circuit to the heater 26 is broken and the outlet valvesare closed. The curlers are disconnected from. the flexible tubes, andthen disengaged from I claim and desire to secureby maybe water; I haveobtained satisfactory the head of the patron, and the condensation drawnofi. I

Having thus'described my invention, what ent of the United States, is:

1. In an apparatus for producing ornamental efiects in the arrangementof human hair, a tubular curler the walls of which are perforatedfor-the passage 'of vapor to effect permeation of strands of. hair woundabout the said curler, means for generating vapor, and aconnectionleading from the gene:- atin means to the tubular curler, witha tubu ar sleeve in which the curler may be adjusted longitudinally toclose some of the perforations therein, and a sealing gasket or dam atthe end of the sleeve.

2. In an apparatus for producing ornamental effects in the arrangementof human hair, a liquid reservoir, a chamber in which the liquid isvaporized and means therein for effecting such vaporization, adistributor with connections thereto from'the chamber, tubular curlersupon the perforated walls of which strands of hair are wound, andconducting means leadings from the distributor to the curlers, suchconducting means comprising a sleeve encircling one end of the curlerand movable thereover to close some of the perforations with a sealinggasket or dam'encircling the tubular curlers at the end of the sleeve,whereby impregnation of the strands of hair by the vapor is effected.

' 3. In an apparatus for producing ornamental efiects in the arrangementof human hair, a liquid reservoir, a chamber in which the liquiddripping from the reservoir is vaporized, a hot plate therein and meansfor heating the same for effecting such vaporization, valved connectionsbetween the reservoir and the chamber for controlling the flow of liquidas it drips from the reservoir, a distributor with connections theretofrom the vaporizing chamber, curlers upon which strands of hair arewound, and meansleading from the distributor to the curlers, wherebyimpregnation of the strands of hair by the vapor is effected.

4. In an apparatus for producing ornamental effects 1n the'arrangementof human hair, a liquid reservoir, a chamber in which the liquid isvaporized and means therein for effecting such vaporization, connectionsbetween the reservoir and the chamber for controlling the flow of liquiddripping from the reservoir into the chamber, a distributor withconnections thereto from the said chamber, perforated tubular curlersupon which strands of hair are wound, and means leading from thedistributor to L the curlers, whereby impregnation of the strands ofhair by the vapor is effected from the inside of the windings about thecurlers.

5. In an apparatus for producing ornamental effects in the arrangementof human Letters Pathair, a standard, a liquid reservoir having means tocontrol the flow of liquid therefrom, a communicating chamber into whichthe liquid drips and is vaporized, means therein for effecting suchvaporization, a distributor supported upon the standard with connectionsto the distributor from the vaporizing chamber, perforated tubularcurlers having perforated walls about which strands: of hair are wound,and means leading from the distributor to the curlers, wherebyimpregnation by the vapor of the strands of hair is efiected from theinterior of the windings about the curlers. 16 In testimony whereof, Ihave signed my name at Milwaukee, this 19th day of June,

1930. HECTOR LE PAGE.

